Panama Canal

==Third set of locks project (expansion)==
{{Main|Panama Canal expansion project}}
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As demand is rising for efficient global shipping of goods, the canal is positioned to be a significant feature of world shipping for the foreseeable future. However, changes in shipping patterns—particularly the increasing numbers of larger-than-Panamax ships—necessitated changes to the canal for it to retain a significant [[market share]]. In 2006 it was anticipated that by 2011, 37 percent of the world's container ships would be too large for the present canal, and hence a failure to expand would result in a significant loss of market share. The maximum sustainable capacity of the original canal, given some relatively minor improvement work, was estimated at 340 million PC/UMS tons per year; it was anticipated that this capacity would be reached between 2009 and 2012. Close to 50 percent of transiting vessels were already using the full width of the locks.<ref name=acpthird>{{cite web |url=http://www.pancanal.com/esp/plan/documentos/propuesta/acp-proposla-relevant-information.pdf |title=Relevant Information on the Third Set of Locks Project |publisher=Panama Canal Authority |date=2006-04-24 |access-date=2006-04-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524172203/http://www.pancanal.com/esp/plan/documentos/propuesta/acp-proposla-relevant-information.pdf |archive-date=2006-05-24 }}</ref>

An enlargement scheme to allow for a greater number of transits and the ability to handle larger ships, similar to the [[History of the Panama Canal#Third-lane plan|Third Lock Scheme]] of 1939, had been under consideration for some time,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businesspanama.com/investing/why_invest/panama_canal.php |title=The Panama Canal |publisher=Business in Panama |access-date=2007-09-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927061736/http://www.businesspanama.com/investing/why_invest/panama_canal.php |archive-date=2007-09-27 }}</ref> and by 2006 Panama's government canal authority was recommending such a plan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4876322.stm |title=Panama Canal set for $7.5bn revamp |first=Jane |last=Monahan |work=BBC News |date=2006-04-04 |access-date=November 27, 2006 |archive-date=December 15, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061215191150/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4876322.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pancanal.com/eng/pr/press-releases/2010/03/12/pr379.html |title=Panama Canal Authority: Panama Canal Expansion is "2009 Project Finance Deal of the Year", 12 March 2010 |publisher=Pancanal.com |date=2010-03-12 |access-date=2010-10-24 |archive-date=March 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329135721/http://www.pancanal.com/eng/pr/press-releases/2010/03/12/pr379.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The expansion proposal, with a cost estimate of {{USD|5.25 billion}}, was expected to double the canal's shipping capacity by allowing both the passage of longer and wider [[Post-Panamax]] ships and an increase in overall traffic. This proposal was approved in a [[Panama Canal expansion referendum, 2006|national referendum]] by about 80 percent on October 22, 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/10627208 |title=Panama approves $5.25 billion canal expansion |publisher=[[NBC News]] |date=2006-10-22 |access-date=November 10, 2019 |archive-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202053323/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/10627208/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The canal expansion was built between 2007 and 2016.<ref name="AP 2016" />

[[File:New Panama Canal.jpg|upright=1.25|thumb|New ''Agua Clara'' locks (Atlantic side) in operation]]

The expansion plan had two new flights of locks built parallel to, and operated in addition to, the old locks: one east of the existing Gatun locks, and one southwest of the Miraflores locks, each supported by approach channels. Each flight ascends from sea level directly to the level of Gatun Lake; the existing two-stage ascent at Miraflores and Pedro Miguel locks was not replicated. The new lock chambers feature sliding gates, doubled for safety, and are {{convert|427|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} long, {{convert|55|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} wide, and {{convert|18.3|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} deep. This allows the transit of vessels with a beam of up to {{convert|49|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}, an overall length of up to {{convert|366|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} and a draft of up to {{convert|15|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}, equivalent to a container ship carrying around 12,000 containers, each {{convert|20|ft|m|sigfig=2|order=flip|abbr=on}} in length (TEU).

The new locks are supported by new approach channels, including a {{convert|6.2|km|mi|abbr=on}} channel at Miraflores from the locks to the Gaillard Cut, skirting Miraflores Lake. Each of these channels are {{convert|218|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} wide, which will require post-Panamax vessels to navigate the channels in one direction at a time. The Gaillard Cut and the channel through Gatun Lake were widened to at least {{convert|280|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} on the straight portions and at least {{convert|366|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} on the bends. The maximum level of Gatun Lake was raised from {{convert|26.7|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} to {{convert|27.1|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}.

Each flight of locks is accompanied by nine water reuse basins (three per lock chamber), each basin being about {{convert|70|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} wide, {{convert|430|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} long and {{convert|5.50|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} deep. These gravity-fed basins allow 60 percent of the water used in each transit to be reused; the new locks consequently use 7 percent less water per transit than each of the existing lock lanes. The deepening of Gatun Lake and the raising of its maximum water level also provide capacity for significantly more water storage. These measures are intended to allow the expanded canal to operate without constructing new reservoirs.

The estimated cost of the project is {{USD|5.25 billion}}. The project was designed to allow for an anticipated growth in traffic from 280 million PC/UMS tons in 2005 to nearly 510 million PC/UMS tons in 2025. The expanded canal will have a maximum sustainable capacity of about 600 million PC/UMS tons per year. Tolls will continue to be calculated based on vessel tonnage, and in some cases depend on the locks used.

An article in the February 2007 issue of ''Popular Mechanics'' magazine described the engineering aspects of the expansion project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/transportation/4212183.html |title=The Panama Canal's Ultimate Upgrade |first=Brad |last=Reagan |work=Popular Mechanics |date=February 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206224605/http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/transportation/4212183.html |archive-date=2007-02-06 }}</ref> There is also a follow-up article in the February 2010 issue of ''Popular Mechanics''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/transportation/4344444.html?page=1 |title=The Panama Canal Gets a New Lane |first=Andrew |last=Kaufman |work=Popular Mechanics |date=February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206005955/http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/transportation/4344444.html?page=1 |archive-date=2010-02-06 }}</ref>

On September 3, 2007, thousands of [[Panamanians]] stood across from [[Paraíso, Panamá Province|Paraíso]] Hill in Panama to witness a huge initial [[explosion]] and launch of the Expansion Program. The first phase of the project was the dry [[excavations]] of the {{convert|218|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} wide [[trench]] connecting the Gaillard Cut with the [[Pacific coast]], removing 47 million cubic meters of earth and rock.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0334522620070904|title=Work starts on biggest-ever Panama Canal overhaul|work=Reuters|date=2007-09-04|access-date=January 10, 2022|archive-date=November 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127101308/https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0334522620070904|url-status=live}}</ref> By June 2012, a 30 m [[reinforced concrete]] monolith had been completed, the first of 46 such monoliths which will line the new Pacific-side lock walls.<ref name="pca2012jun19">{{cite web |url=http://www.pancanal.com/eng/pr/press-releases/2012/06/19/pr446.html |title=Panama Canal Completes First Monolith at the New Pacific Locks |author=Panama Canal Authority |date=19 June 2012 |access-date=2012-06-20 |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703220929/http://www.pancanal.com/eng/pr/press-releases/2012/06/19/pr446.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By early July 2012, however, it was announced that the canal expansion project had fallen six months behind schedule, leading expectations for the expansion to open in April 2015 rather than October 2014, as originally planned.<ref name="sb20120702">{{cite web |url=http://shipandbunker.com/news/am/528100-delay-confirmed-on-panama-canal-expansion-project |title=Delay Confirmed on Panama Canal Expansion Project |author=Ship and Bunker |date=2 July 2012 |access-date=2012-07-07 |archive-date=July 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708013547/http://shipandbunker.com/news/am/528100-delay-confirmed-on-panama-canal-expansion-project |url-status=live }}</ref> By September 2014, the new gates were projected to be open for transit at the "beginning of 2016".<ref name="maersk20140829">{{cite web |url=http://www.sandandgravel.com/news/article.asp?v1=18723 |title=Panama Canal Authority updates Maersk Line on expansion programme |author=Dredging News Online |date=29 August 2014 |publisher=Dredging News Online |access-date=2 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903150152/http://www.sandandgravel.com/news/article.asp?v1=18723 |archive-date=September 3, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="maersk20140901">{{cite web |url=http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/panama-canal-authority-updates-maersk-line-on-expansion-programme/ |title=Panama Canal Authority updates Maersk Line on expansion programme |author=Dredging News Online |date=1 September 2014 |publisher=Hellenic Shipping News |access-date=2 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027212712/http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/panama-canal-authority-updates-maersk-line-on-expansion-programme/ |archive-date=27 October 2014 }}</ref><ref name="pca2014aug20">{{cite web |url=http://www.pancanal.com/eng/pr/press-releases/2014/08/20/pr519.html |title=Panama Canal Updates Maersk Line on Expansion Program |author=Panama Canal Authority |date=20 August 2014 |access-date=3 September 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201011129/http://www.pancanal.com/eng/pr/press-releases/2014/08/20/pr519.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="charlotte">{{cite web|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/09/09/5160891/sc-international-trade-conference.html |title=Maritime panel to hold sessions on port congestion |first=Bruce |last=Smith |date=9 Sep 2014 |access-date=11 Sep 2014 |work=Charlotte Observer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911113315/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/09/09/5160891/sc-international-trade-conference.html |archive-date=2014-09-11 }}</ref>

[[File:Agua Clara Locks 09 2019 0822.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Neopanamax]] ship passing through the ''Agua Clara'' locks.]]

It was announced in July 2009 that the Belgian dredging company [[Jan De Nul]], together with a consortium of contractors consisting of the Spanish [[Sacyr|Sacyr Vallehermoso]], the Italian [[Impregilo]], and the Panamanian company Grupo Cusa, had been awarded the contract to build the six new locks for US$3.1 billion, which was one billion less than the next highest competing bid due to having a concrete budget 71 percent smaller than that of the next bidder and allotted roughly 25 percent less for steel to reinforce that concrete. The contract resulted in $100 million in dredging works over the next few years for the Belgian company and a great deal of work for its construction division. The design of the locks is a carbon copy of the [[Berendrecht Lock]], which is 68 m wide and 500 m long, making it the second largest lock in the world after the Kieldrecht lock in the port of Antwerp, Belgium. Completed in 1989 by the [[Port of Antwerp]], which De Nul helped build, the company still has engineers and specialists who were part of that project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediargus.be/flanderstoday.admin.en/rss/22548040.html?via=rss&language=en |title=De Nul dredging company to build locks in Panama Canal |publisher=Flanders Today |date=2009-07-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904012809/https://www.mediargus.be/flanderstoday.admin.en/rss/22548040.html?via=rss&language=en |archive-date=2015-09-04 }}</ref>

In January 2014, a contract dispute threatened the progress of the project.<ref>{{cite news|title=Contract dispute jeopardizes Panama Canal schedule|url=http://www.americanshipper.com/main/news/7ba02bab-5b13-4e8a-8c6f-deed1c2975c2.aspx|access-date=10 January 2014|newspaper=American Shipper|date=January 2, 2014|archive-date=December 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203153757/https://www.americanshipper.com/main/news/7ba02bab-5b13-4e8a-8c6f-deed1c2975c2.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Panama Canal refuses to pay $1 billion more for expansion work|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sacyr-panama-idUSBREA0714S20140108|access-date=10 January 2014|newspaper=Reuters|date=January 8, 2014|author=Lomi Kriel|author2=Elida Moreno|archive-date=October 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016025219/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/08/us-sacyr-panama-idUSBREA0714S20140108|url-status=live}}</ref> There was a delay of less than two months however, with work by the consortium members reaching goals by June 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://micanaldepanama.com/expansion/2014/02/panama-canal-new-locks-project-works-resume/|title=Panama Canal New Locks Project Works Resume|author=Panama Canal Authority|date=20 February 2014|access-date=2014-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027210947/http://micanaldepanama.com/expansion/2014/02/panama-canal-new-locks-project-works-resume/|archive-date=October 27, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://micanaldepanama.com/expansion/2014/06/second-shipment-of-new-gates-arrive-at-the-panama-canal/|title=Second Shipment of new gates arrive at the Panama Canal|author=Panama Canal Authority|date=10 June 2014|access-date=2014-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006062940/http://micanaldepanama.com/expansion/2014/06/second-shipment-of-new-gates-arrive-at-the-panama-canal/|archive-date=October 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In June 2015, flooding of the new locks began: first on the Atlantic side, then on the Pacific; by then, the canal's re-inauguration was slated for April 2016.<ref name="pca2015jun11">{{cite web|url=https://www.pancanal.com/eng/pr/press-releases/2015/06/11/pr550.html |title=Panama Canal Expansion Begins Filling of New Locks |author=Panama Canal Authority |date=11 June 2015 |access-date=12 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614144853/https://www.pancanal.com/eng/pr/press-releases/2015/06/11/pr550.html |archive-date=14 June 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/flooding-of-expanded-panama-canal-begins |first=Kathryn |last=Stone |title=Flooding of Expanded Panama Canal Begins |date=10 June 2015 |work=The Maritime Executive |access-date=June 13, 2015 |archive-date=June 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614100521/http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/flooding-of-expanded-panama-canal-begins |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="pca2015jun22">{{cite web|url=https://www.pancanal.com/eng/pr/press-releases/2015/06/22/pr551.html |title=Panama Canal Expansion Moves Ahead with Filling of New Pacific Locks |author=Panama Canal Authority |date=22 June 2015 |access-date=1 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702191025/https://www.pancanal.com/eng/pr/press-releases/2015/06/22/pr551.html |archive-date= 2 July 2015 }}</ref> On March 23, 2016, the expansion inauguration was set for June 26, 2016.<ref name="pca2016mar23">{{cite web |url=https://www.pancanal.com/eng/pr/press-releases/2016/03/23/pr579.html |title=Panama Canal Inaugurates Scale Model Training Facility, Announces Expansion Inauguration Date |author=Panama Canal Authority |date=23 March 2016 |access-date=4 April 2016 |archive-date=April 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405043033/http://www.pancanal.com/eng/pr/press-releases/2016/03/23/pr579.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The new locks opened for commercial traffic on June 26, 2016, and the first ship to cross the canal using the third set of locks was a modern [[Neopanamax]] vessel, the Chinese-owned container ship ''Cosco Shipping Panama''.<ref name="AP 2016">{{cite news|last1=Zamorano|first1=Juan|last2=Martinez|first2=Kathia|title=Panama Canal opens $5B locks, bullish despite shipping woes|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b8495e0dad974d39bf4147f647d2f831/panama-canal-opens-5b-locks-bullish-despite-shipping-woes|access-date=March 6, 2017|work=The Big Story|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=June 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626050451/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/b8495e0dad974d39bf4147f647d2f831/panama-canal-opens-5b-locks-bullish-despite-shipping-woes|archive-date=June 26, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The original locks, now over 100 years old, allow engineers greater access for maintenance, and are projected to continue operating indefinitely.<ref name=acpthird/> After the construction of the new locks, in addition to the already existing ones, to date the ship with the largest dimensions transiting the "Panama Canal new sideway", had the following dimensions: 366.47 meters in length, 48.23 meters in width and 15 meters draft.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

The total cost is unknown since the expansion's contractors are seeking at least an additional {{USD|3.4 billion}} from the canal authority due to excess expenses.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bogdanich |first1=Walt |last2=Williams |first2=Jacqueline |last3=Méndez |first3=Ana Graciela |date=2016-06-22 |title=The New Panama Canal: A Risky Bet |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/06/22/world/americas/panama-canal.html,%20https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/06/22/world/americas/panama-canal.html |access-date=2023-05-01 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>